Envelop-opener.



PATENTED DEC. 18, 1906.

J. RINDSBERG.

ENVELOP OPENER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8. 1905.

.THE NORRIS PETERS co vmsumarou, D. c

JOSEPH RINDSBERG, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

ENVELOP-OPENER.'

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 18, 1906.

Application filed Nove be 8. 1905. Serial No. 286,409.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH RINDsBERG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Envelop-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved device for opening envelops, other papers which are folded together, or cutting the leaves of books, periodicals, &c., and is designed to be a simple, cheap, and easily-operated novelty, as hereinafter described.

It is known that persons receiving a large volume of mail require some instrument by which to open the envelops or wrappers, and various devices have been designed for this purpose, among which are knives of varied lengths and an envelop made with a cord or wire, the pulling of which cuts or tears open the inclosure. All the devices heretofore used of the former class, so far as I am aware, have been inconvenient either by reason of their size or from the fact that they are liable to get misplaced, and therefore are not at hand when needed.

My invention is designed to be readily portablethat is to say, adapted to be carried in a pocket of the user, so that it may be conveniently found at any time.

Other advantages of my invention in its preferred and modified forms, as hereinafter specified, will appear later.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my invention and its mode of use, the blade of the device being 0 en. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing t e device from another'point of view and with the blade closed. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a modified'form of the device, the blade being open.

Similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the respective figures.

1 represents the cap, which may be of metal or celluloid, &c., but preferably of rubber or other flexible and elastic material. As

shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cap 1 is closed at the end, forming a thimble of ordinary character, while in Fig. 3 the end is removed.

2 represents the knife, which is hinged to the base of the cap 1, as shown, the sharp edge of the knife when the blade is open be ing that next to the cap. The knife is preferably pointed and may be of any desired length. The knife 2 is loclchinged, a spring device 3 being used to hold it in its open position or down against the side of the cap when closed. The cap when made of rubber or other flexible and elastic material is adapted to fit over a thumb or finger of the user, conforming to the size thereof. In Fig. 1 the device is shown carried by the thumb, the latter being indicated in dotted lines, as also is an envelop 4c, with which the knife 2 is seen engaged preparatory to opening it.

It will be seen that in my invention the knife 2, secured at or near the base of the cap 1, does not extend below the base, nor is it of suflicient length to extend above the outer end ofthe cap; furthermore, that the sharp inner edge of the knife stands very close to the side of the cap, so that by the outer body or periphery thereof it is so shielded as to prevent the edge from cuttingthe clothing of the user when the device is carried in the pocket or from cutting the hand when it is grasped. The device having been placed, preferably, over the thumb of the right hand of the user and the envelop 4 being held in the left, the point of the open blade 2 is inserted between the fold at the end of the flap and pushed forward, whereupon the side of the inclosure is quickly cut.

Persons having heavy mail will find that my invention can be used with great speed and effect, and it is obvious it is equally useful for cutting the leaves of books, periodicals, 620. Furthermore, the device is small and compact and may be readily carried in the pocket. Where the cap 2 is made flexible, as in my preferred form, it will adapt itself to the uses of persons having different-sized thumbs or fingers, and Where the end of the substantially parallel to the side of the cap, cap is removed, as in Fig. 3, the thumb or and a lock-hinge for securing the knife to the finger is free to be used in assisting to remove l exterior of the cap, whereby said. knife may the contents of the inclosures. I be held in either an operative or inoperative r 5 5 Having thus described my invention, I position, substantially as set forth.

claim In testimony whereof I 'afliX my signature An env'elopopener or paper-cutter in in presence of two Witnesses. which are combined a cap adapted to fit a JOSEPH. RINDSBERG.

thumb or finger of the user, a knife, adapted l \Vitnesses: 10 to be opened and closed, Which When open l C. B. BULL,

stands With its sharpened edge next to and 1 CHARLES LOWELL HOWARD. 

